Stocked 1860 Colt Revolver

Published on November 8, 2023
Duration: 7:35

This guide details the process of attaching a modern skeletal shoulder stock to a reproduction 1860 Colt percussion revolver and its subsequent use in a shooting experiment. The video, featuring Karl from InRangeTV, demonstrates the historical context of stocked pistols and the legal implications under the NFA. It highlights the practical challenges and limited effectiveness of such configurations for long-range accuracy compared to dedicated rifles.

Quick Summary

Adding a shoulder stock to a percussion muzzle-loading revolver like the 1860 Colt is legal under the NFA. While an experiment showed a slight accuracy improvement at 100 yards (from zero hits to one hit per cylinder), historical popularity was limited due to the inherent impracticality for long-range accuracy compared to rifles.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Challenge
  2. 00:38Historical Context of Stocked Pistols
  3. 01:20Modern Skeletal Stock
  4. 01:55Shooting Without Stock
  5. 02:34Shooting With Stock
  6. 05:47Legal Considerations (NFA)
  7. 06:22Conclusion and Practicality

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to add a shoulder stock to a Colt 1860 Revolver?

Yes, it is legal to add a shoulder stock to a percussion muzzle-loading revolver like the Colt 1860. Under the National Firearms Act (NFA), these firearms are exempt from regulations concerning stocks because of their ignition system, unlike cartridge-firing handguns.

What was the accuracy difference when shooting the 1860 Colt Revolver with and without a stock?

In the InRangeTV experiment, shooting the 1860 Colt Revolver reproduction at 100 yards yielded zero hits without a stock. With a modern skeletal stock attached, the shooter managed one hit per six-round cylinder, indicating a slight improvement but highlighting the inherent limitations.

Why were stocked revolvers not popular historically?

Stocked revolvers were generally not popular because, despite the added stability, the sights and ballistics of a pistol are not suited for reliable long-range accuracy. A dedicated rifle offered significantly better performance for distance shooting, making the stocked revolver a less practical choice.

What type of stock was used in the InRangeTV experiment?

The InRangeTV experiment utilized a modern skeletal metal shoulder stock. While functional for testing the concept of added stability, it was noted that this was not a historical reproduction of the stocks seen on older percussion revolvers.

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